Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS)

Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS)

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome is a genetic disorder that makes male (XY) fetuses unresponsive to male hormones (androgens) . They are born looking externally like normal girls. Internally, there is a short blind-pouch vagina and no uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. There are testes in the abdomen or the inguinal canal. The complete androgen insensitivity syndrome is usually detected at puberty when a girl should but does not begin to menstruate. Many of the girls with the syndrome have no pubic or axillary (armpit) hair. They have luxuriant scalp hair without temporal (male-pattern) balding. They are sterile and cannot bear children. They are at high risk for osteoporosis and so should take estrogen replacement therapy.